Lords of the Were (20 page)

“Dear cousin, I have bad news. We inspected the location of your attack and I found traces of an Elspian Ring.”

Betina paled even further, if such a thing were possible. “You dismantled it?”

“Of course. Such a thing should not be left lying around.”

“Then—”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Would somebody please interpret for the non-fey in the room?” Rafe smiled politely as he made the request, though he could see the frustration on Tim’s face.

Betina sighed long and hard. “Dear boys, I’ve been hiding amongst you for so long. Can you forgive me?”

Tim surprised his brother by stepping forward. Rafe moved to the older woman’s other side, mirroring his brother’s stance.

“We all have secrets, Betina. Some bigger than others.” Tim glanced wryly at the knight seated at her side.

“There’s nothing to forgive, milady,” Rafe said softly, stroking her hand with fondness. In truth, she was like a mother to him and his brother, regardless of how young she looked. She’d always looked the same, as long as they’d known her—and that was a long time indeed. It all made sense now, of course. If she wasn’t immortal, she was damn close to it.

“The time for secrets is over at any rate,” Duncan said softly. “The presence of an Elspian Ring in this realm is a bad sign of things to come, I fear.”

“What is it?” Allie asked, her voice strong although Rafe knew she had to be feeling the same apprehension they all felt at the knight’s dire tone.

“It’s nothing to look at unless you have certain magics at your disposal,” Betina said softly. “To a human it would look like nothing more than a bit of debris on the ground. But if they unwittingly stepped

through it, dire consequences could result, depending on what the mage who cast it intended.”

“The one I found near the scene of your attack was almost certainly used to hide the attacker’s presence. It was crude, but expertly done.”

“So the human mage cast it, but he had been taught well,” Betina thought aloud.

Duncan nodded. “Or cast it often enough, over time, to gain such skill.”

“So that’s how he’s been masking his presence from us?” Tim asked.

“This Elspian Ring is strong enough to foul were senses?”

“Most certainly.” Duncan nodded grimly. “It can muddle any being’s sense whether physical or magical. It will work equally well on any dweller of this realm, and most from Underhill.”

“But not Duncan,” Betina said with a hint of pride. “Oh, the Lady knew what She was doing when She sent you to us, cousin.” Duncan bowed his head respectfully but said nothing to the compliment.

“Why doesn’t it affect him?” Allie wanted to know.

To this the knight objected somewhat. “Oh no, priestess, the Elspian Ring would affect me just as easily as anyone else were I to unwittingly cross it, but my magical gift is such that it allows me to sense and avoid the darker magics—and this kind of ring is among the darkest of all. It was first created by the murderess Elspia, hence its name. She perfected and used it over many years to do her foul deeds, killing many beings, both magical and mundane, in many realms. There has never been a more evil woman known to our realm.”

“It was her son, Lachlan, who founded the Venifucus in ancient times,” Betina said, some of her strength returning along with her anger.

“You’re saying Elspia was fey? And this Lachlan—was he fey as well?”

“Only half. Like me.” Duncan replied. “His father was a human of this realm, murdered by Elspia not long after impregnating her.”

“So did he inherit his mother’s magical abilities?” Allie stood and started to pace as she grew agitated.

Duncan shrugged. “Unfortunately yes. She taught him all she knew.

But he didn’t survive much past founding the Venifucus. He was tried in the faerie realm for crimes he’d committed against Queen Mab and sentenced to banishment in the Farthest Realm.”

“And where’s that? Someplace worse than the Isle of Nevermore?” Rafe asked only half joking.

But Duncan was dead serious as he responded. “Infinitely worse. It is comparable to your legends of hell, and it is said there is no return from that realm. Once you are sent there, you never come back. Queen Mab has sent many there over the eons. I’m lucky she didn’t send me there as well.”

“She wouldn’t dare!” Betina’s color was high and her voice shook with anger. Duncan leaned close to her, rubbing her trembling shoulder with obvious care.

“Calm yourself, cousin. You know she would not dare your anger or my father’s. I’m safe enough for now, here in this realm. Perhaps I’ll share your exile with you?” His smile coaxed the older woman to calm down.

“You can’t go back anytime soon, Duncan. She’ll know by now that you’ve escaped.”

“Then I’ll stay here, with you. Besides, it is obviously the Lady’s will.

She sent me to you when any number of other fey would gladly have come to your aid. You still have many friends and supporters Underhill, dear cousin. I’m just one of many.”

“Apparently,” Allie turned from her pacing to appraise the knight,

“you’re the one we need.”

Again Duncan bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Apparently so, Priestess.”

They talked for a bit more, but before long Betina grew tired and Allie suggested they adjourn the discussion to the living room. Betina was a great source of knowledge but apparently priestesses rarely engaged in battle. In this case, Allie realized, Duncan would be of far more help in planning strategy and analyzing the possible strengths and weaknesses of their foe.

The war council in the living room resumed and Allie took her place between her mates. If any sort of battle plan was being constructed, she wanted in on it. Allie had a personal score to settle with Vabian for the way he’d hurt Rafe and Betty. She didn’t care if priestesses didn’t fight.

She’d show them all a thing or two. She might not be as quick or strong as some of these male were, but she had magic on her side. She’d faced Vabian before and been of some help in protecting Rafe. She knew she could help now, no matter how much the twins wanted to keep her safe and coddled indoors where no harm would come to her. They didn’t quite realize it yet, but they’d have a fight on their hands if they tried to keep her out of this one.

“We need to get him out in the open. In the woods, where our strengths are greatest,” Rocky said from his habitual position near the doorway leading to the kitchen.

“But if he’s using this ring thing to hide from our senses, he’ll have the advantage no matter what the setting,” one of the others pointed out.

“Not necessarily,” Duncan said, rising to stand near the fireplace. “I may be able to show you signs to look for. Humans would probably not be able to see such, but you are were, you have advantages. Some of you might be able to recognize signs of the Elspian Ring that are too subtle for human senses.” He bent to pick a few twigs and ash out of the

fireplace, then moved to the large, central coffee table. “The Elspian Ring is not a perfect circle. It has several dips and curves, like so.” Duncan arranged the twigs and ash in an odd pattern that almost resembled the outline of a jigsaw puzzle piece, but not quite so regular. It looked totally random to Allie, but then she saw the flare of power as the ends of the ring joined. She jumped up from her seat on the sofa, unconsciously erecting a shield as she moved to encompass Tim and Rafe in her sphere of protection.

“Be at ease, young priestess,” Duncan stood to face her. “This is not the Elspian Ring, but a mere facsimile for training purposes. I would never call such darkness into your home.”

“Disperse it, Duncan. Now.” Allie felt uneasy with the humming energy so near the twins, though they seemed totally unaware of it.

Duncan shrugged and picked up the linking twig, snapping it in his hands as the rest of the arrangement disappeared in a puff of smoke.

“Forgive me for distressing you, Priestess.” Allie stood back, but didn’t sit down. Rafe and Tim were eyeing her strangely, but ready to leap to her defense should she need it.

“None of you guys saw that? Or felt it? Or heard it?” Allie could barely believe it. “It hummed with power! And glowed. It crackled against my skin like static electricity.”

Tim and Rafe shook their heads, eyes narrowed on the fey warrior.

“That’s because you are a Sensitive. Many priestesses have the skill, but you are new to it. Soon you will be able to differentiate between harmless callings like the one I just performed and those more sinister.

Even now, I believe you would feel the innate evil in the Elspian Ring should you come into contact with the real thing.” Duncan bowed his head to her in a formal show of respect. “You will be of great use to us in this battle, Priestess.”

“Call me Allie, please.”

Rafe and Tim stood, towering over her. “She’s not going anywhere near this battle, Duncan,” Tim said hotly.

“She’s Vabian’s target and we’re not giving him another clear shot at her,” Rafe added.

“Now just hold on a minute.” Allie knew this battle was coming but she would have preferred to fight it in private. Fate, apparently, had other plans. “I can help. I stood against him before. My shield held and kept Rafe alive until help could arrive. I don’t think I’m as vulnerable to this Vabian guy as you seem to think I am.”

“Oh, lady,” Duncan broke in from behind her, “you are more vulnerable than any in this room to Patrick Vabian’s magic.” Rafe and Tim both raised their eyebrows at her as if to say, “See?”

“But then, you are also probably the best equipped to fight him. Aside from myself, of course.”

An uproar was avoided only by a loud knock on the front door. All eyes flew to Rafe and Tim for direction. Allie knew no one could approach this house without one of the many were on guard outside noticing and alerting them well beforehand, but no such warning had come.

Tim got up and went to the door, Rafe staying with Allie and placing her behind him. Allie looked around his wide shoulders to see what was going on as Tim opened the door.

The vampire had come to call.

“May I come in?” Dante asked with a hint of a smile.

Darkness had fallen outside while the war council deliberated over what to do. The room was stunned to silence, suspicion and distrust crossing many a face as they all watched the vampire. Duncan moved swiftly toward the door.

“Be sure of him before inviting him in, for once invited in, a bloodletter can enter at will.” Duncan faced the vampire, standing next to Tim in the doorway, practically blocking Allie’s view completely, but she

could see the look of surprise cross the vampire’s eyes, followed by what looked like a genuine smile. “It’s been a long time, my old friend.”

“Too long, Duncan. You look well. I thought you were long dead.”

“Exiled, I’m afraid. Held prisoner these many years Underhill by Auntie Mab’s decree.”

“Bummer.”

Duncan cocked his head at the modern expression but let it pass.

“Have you changed allegiances in the years I’ve not seen you?” the knight asked formally. “Be warned, I will still recognize a falsehood from truth.”

Dante smiled and shook his head. “My interests have always been mainly in keeping myself happy and comfortable, but I’ve no love for the Venifucus. That has never changed. What I did, I did out of ignorance and laziness. I’ve come back here to make amends, if possible, and seek my promised justice.”

Duncan seemed to consider his words then finally nodded. “It’s good to know some things never change. If these were will not have you for a fighting companion, I will take your aid, Dante, for the mage you set loose here has now injured one of my kin whom I love dearly. He must pay for that insult.”

Dante looked truly angry, his eyes flashing red in the uncertain light from outside. “I’m truly sorry, my old friend. Vabian will die for duping me. Whether this wolf invites me in or not.” Duncan nodded and moved back. That left just Tim facing the vampire in the doorway.

“Well, what’ll it be?” Dante’s voice rang with boredom, but his eyes flashed challenge.

Tim seemed to consider. “Did you bring back my bike?”

Dante tossed Tim the keys with a grin. “Gassed her up too. Thanks for the loan. You’ll find her parked at the first bend in the road downhill, behind the large oak.”

“Do I have your word you won’t prey on any of the were in this area?

That you won’t take were blood?” Dante grinned, showing his fangs, now recessed at rest, but still slightly visible. “Not unless they offer.”

“That’s good enough for me.” Tim stepped back from the door, opening it wide. “Please come in, Dante. We could really use your help.”

“I want to do this,” Allie argued hours later. They’d arrived at the idea of using some sort of bait to lure the magic user into their trap, but Allie was the only thing they could think of that he might want badly enough to try for.

“No way in hell.” Tim stood firm against her, backed by his twin and a whole bunch of other angry alpha were.

“It’s the only way to get Vabian where you need him.”

“We’ll find another way.”

“There is no other way!” Frustration made anger spark up and down her arms. Unbeknownst to her, she was sending little electrical shocks throughout the room.

“Lady.” Duncan stepped forward, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She immediately felt some of the restless energy drain away from her.

“Calm yourself. This does you no good.”

“Don’t. Touch. Her.” Rafe stalked forward, surprising the heck out of Allie. He was usually the more affable of the twins, but apparently he’d had enough as he yanked her away from the fey knight and wrapped one arm around her middle. It was a possessive move that spoke volumes to all the dominant males in the room. Her independent nature demanded she fight against such barbaric behavior, but the newly discovered submissive side of her liked it all too much. Torn, she decided to say nothing.

Fighting his possessive stance in a room full of angry were was not a good idea. Plus, she didn’t want to shame him or hurt his feelings. If Rafe was this close to the edge of his control, she could only imagine how Tim was holding it together. She’d go along for now, but when she got them alone, she’d have a thing or two to say.